3:00 PM, Aethra Academy.
"Is everyone here?"
Asked a handsome boy with blonde hair.
"Yeah everyone just arrived."
Said a girl with long dark hair.
It was time for our trip. The trip I had been anticipating for a while now.
It was time to go to Soradeus.
All of the students going on this trip were getting ready to board their respective buses. The student council had their own and we were currently taking attendance.
"Keir you all set?"
Kiran said while stepping closer to me.
"Hm? Yeah I should be all set."
"Got your luggage?"
He asked while peering at the large suitcase I was lugging around.
"Well, I don't know. What the hell do you think?"
I replied sarcastically.
"I'm just messing with you bro heh."
"Where's your luggage anyway?"
"In here."
Kiran said while pointing to his finger.
"In your hand?"
"Wha-no dumbass. In here."
I sharpened my eyes and leaned forward in his direction. He was pointing to an inconspicuous ring on his right hand.
The ring had a simple shape but there were slight hints of blue string like elements on it.
I was looking at a rift storage ring.
"Oh shit where'd you find one of those Kiran?"
"Bought it a while ago. Finally coming in handy more often since enrollment."
"Lucky bastard…"
"Don't blame me for being rich Keir. I could probably get one for you too."
"No thanks."
'This guy…'
Rift storage rings were high cost but definitely high reward. Scientists created them when they managed to gather data on the rifts to create controlled and much more contained versions of them.
They could be controlled with ease but these smaller rifts couldn't be used for much.
So they re-engineered it to create a small pocket dimension with a set amount of space.
The higher the space, the higher the cost.
"Oh there was somebody that wanted to see you Keir."
"Hm who is it?"
"Older guy, full beard and he's wearing a black suit. Think his name is Charles."
"Where is he?"
'Why is he here?'
"He's over there near the Headmaster."
Kiran said while pointing in the direction of Kalem.
When I looked over there I could see Charles and Kalem speaking with each other.
As I made my way towards the both of them, they kept on smiling and laughing as if they had been friends for plenty of years.
"Ah there he is haha!"
Kalem said with a chuckle.
"Good to see you young master."
"Good to see you as well Charles. Why are you here at this time? We're about to leave. Did you come to say bye?"
"Ah-no young master, I'll be coming as one of the chaperones."
"Huh?"
"…"
Charles was coming as a chaperone?
"Why'd you decide to come so suddenly?"
"Jonathan wanted to give you something and told me to keep an eye on you."
"I'll be fine without supervision thanks. Anyways what did he want to give me?"
"This here."
He opened up his palm and revealed the item.
A storage ring.
"Holy shit!"
"Language Keir."
"Sorry headmaster. But wow this is a gift I wasn't expecting today…"
"You should thank Jonathan when you get the chance."
"O-of course I will."
That guy might've been annoying as hell but he knew how to impress.
That's for damn sure.
"The buses are here!"
Snapping my gaze to the direction of the shout was a Professor waving towards the headmaster.
"Go and board with the other students young master."
"Ah-alright then, see you at the hotel Charles!"
'He keeps calling me that.'
I found it a bit strange that he kept on calling me young master. Though in the end I didn't really mind.
It's time to go to Soradeus.
*****
1 hour later, Crossroads of the Human Domain.
Zzzzzzz-
Zzzzzzz-
A subtle snoring noise could be heard from the seat beside me.
Unsurprisingly, it was Samael snoozing away in his seat.
The bus was the perfect size for the student council and some extra students that were brought along. It stretched about 20 feet and was a sleek black and silver color.
The colors of Aethra.
"Ugh- is he seriously still out?"
Jenna asked with a groan.
"Sure seems like it."
"If he keeps on snoring like that I'm gonna slap him."
"Ehhhhhhh you got headphones or something?"
I asked with an awkward smile.
I wouldn't want to be caught up in the middle of a petty fight between Scions. It didn't sound fun at all.
"Oh I do actually. Thanks for reminding me."
She said as she rummaged through her pockets.
Soon enough, she put her sleek earbuds in and slouched down in her cushioned seat. I looked around to see everybody else on the bus. Most if not all students were currently getting ready to take some naps.
It made sense due to the length of our initial drive. We wouldn't be arriving until late at night.
I was debating on a nap, but I did have the window seat. So I tilted my gaze to the rolling green hills seen outside of the glass panels. I slouched down and got more comfortable before leaning my head down.
'These hills are so....green.'
I thought to myself.
The hills of green were rolling like a ball in a sport. Their tall summits protruded from the Earth, occasionally blocking the sunlight shining through the window.
The sky was shown with clouds filling it up like a glass of water. The sun was now being obscured by not only the clouds but the hills as well. The scene was beautiful and kept my attention for nearly half an hour.
Zzzzzzz-
Again, the subtle noise of snoring could be heard but this time it wasn't the usual culprit.
As I looked over to my left, I could see Kiran snoring away sitting in his seat beside Jenna. Drool was slowly trickling its way down his face and seeing this, I couldn't help but slightly chuckle.
I took out my phone and made sure he was in frame before taking a photo. After I took the photo, I cropped it and zoomed in with my thumb and index finger before texting it to him.
'He's gonna be pissed.'
*****
2 Hours Until Arrival, Crossroads of the Human Domain.
Zzzzzz-
I bus full of students could be seen snoozing away without a second thought. Most students were asleep except a few that were conversing with each other.
"What are you planning in the tournament?"
"I'm gonna climb the ranks of course."
A boy with long brown hair said proudly.
"Sure you are… what rank are you now anyway?"
Olivia asked.
"Rank #25. Higher than you'll ever be Olivia."
'Fucking bitch.'
Vincent thought to himself as he grinned.
Both of the students were currently chatting on a bus heading through the crossroads. The sun was setting and it's rays shone through the windows.
The light shone upon their faces as they spoke.
"You excited for the museum trip Vince?"
"Vince?"
Vincent raised his eyebrows seemingly surprised by the sudden name.
"Mm I'll call you Vince from now on. Call me Liv."
"Well when the hell did we get so close hm?"
Vincent asked with a slight smirk.
"Why the hell not? We both dislike the same people and we have some stuff in common. Can I roll with you now?"
"Do whatever the hell you want."
Vincent had a face of confusion but shrugged it off before slouching down into his chair.
"I can't forgive Keir. He got me kicked out of the student council."
Whilst Vincent was in the process of getting comfortable, Olivia started talking about Keir.
The person both of them hated.
"I didn't hate him at first, I just thought he was a weak student with zero presence. Now he's just a weak student with connections."
"So what? You can't do much about your situation Liv."
Olivia looked up from her fidgeting hands and faced the direction where Vincent was.
"I wanna get back at him."
"We tried and failed."
"But-"
"Just get over it Liv. For now I just want to relax and not deal with all that bullshit."
"Fine then…"
Olivia said in defeat.
Vincent closed his eyes and thought about the upcoming trip. Suddenly he slightly opened them a few times before speaking.
"Yeah I'm excited. Now get some rest."
He suddenly said before turning to face the other way.
The both of them slouched down into their seats and dozed off along with the other students.
Waiting for the upcoming day.